How to keep a toddler calm in public.

We have all been there. The trip to the doctor for the checkup. It starts with everyone sitting in the chair nicely with the toddler sitting back bouncing his/her little feet up and down while they color in their book. Next thing you know 20 minutes to a half hour has gone by and in this short time, everyone in the lobby knows your kid's name because they heard you say it 50,000 times. Tables have been upset, crayons are everywhere, toys scattered, everything in the diaper bag is strung everywhere, your child is only wanting to grab the most expensive things in the place, people are beginning to fear your child as he/she is screaming and laughing running around out of control as you chase them...begging, you've broken into a sweat, and when the nurse finally calls your name, people begin to applaud as you're leaving behind the smoldering piles of rubbish resembling a war that took place...meanwhile individuals attend the poor helpless elder in the back of the lobby that's still moaning the words "Oh god my leg". Sound familiar?

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• PATIENCE
• A variety of toys in the bag
• Fun Snacks/drinks-minus the sugar!!!!!
• Stuff they don't get to do often at the house. EX: I let him use children's scissors. This is a big deal to him.
• Individualizing

1. INDIVIDUALIZE
   Take a variety of things your child can do, but interact with them. I have found that not letting a child get bored is KEY. It's also important that we keep our children happy. Their happiness comes from us. They love us and need us, so we need to individualize with them. This is a big deal to them.
2. BEWARE OF TANTRUMS
   
   If my little boy begins to grow impatient and gets "ahead" of himself by making assumptions that I may not be listening to him, he will begin to get loud and jump up and down. If this happens I explain to him he should listen to my words. If he does not quiet down to hear even that, I don't speak at all to him, I only tell him I will talk to him when he is ready to listen. If this doesn't help, we go to the hallway and stand there....eventually I point out to him that people are looking at him, seeing this. When he calms down, I tell him once again when he is ready to listen we will talk about what he wants. Then I ask him if he's ready to go back in and tell me. This works. Never give in to a tantrum!!!!!!!!!!
3. LISTEN
   
   I have also found out that a toddler really just wants to be "part of the group" he wants to do what the "big dogs are doing". EX: I was walking back the hallway to the examination room with my boy when the nurse closes the door and I hear him begin to cry as he's pointing at the door! So I assumed he just wanted to go back into the lobby because he's pointing at the door, so I just said "NO you can't do that" When I finally got him calmed down again, he said HE wanted to close the door. That's all it was. Had I not said "NO" right away, I would have saved myself ten minutes worth of upset.
4. BE PATIENT
   
   I have found that people would much more rather listen to the funny comments he makes about a story we are reading together in the lobby rather than hear him whine and cry (even if occasionally he does choose to announce to me in front of everyone -OUT LOUD when he has just passed gas.(Only it's not stated so subtle.) My only response can be...that's wonderful sweetheart...that is wonderful... as we all laugh together.)
5. CHERISH THE TIME THAT YOU TYPICALLY LOOK AT AS AN AGGRIVATION
   
   Just try and remember what life was like when you were little and you had to sit in those boring places waiting for your parents to quit talking to the other "big people". Didn't you wish someone would change things for you then? We are still waiting in those boring lobbies, grocery lines, etc, take advantage and make it fun for you and your toddler!